A Novel Synthesis and Sintering Process for

Nanostructured Oxide and Carbide Ceramic CompositesOlivia A. Graeve, University of Nevada, Reno

DMR 0503017

Molecular modeling has helped in understanding the dynamic behavior of the structures used for the synthesis of the powders. Snapshots of system presented for (a) 0.5 ns, (b) 10 ns, (c) 60 ns, and (d) 135 ns.The size of these structures defines the crystallite size of the powders used during sintering.

htt

p:/

/wo

lfwe

b.u

nr.

ed

u/h

om

ep

ag

e/o

ag

rae

ve/M

SE

44

0/

Broader ImpactsThe results from this project have been incorporated into a new course in nanomaterials synthesis, which was taught for the second time during the Spring 2007 semester.

During the 2007 Spring semester, a high school student from Reed high school in Reno (Carlos Hernandez) continued work in our research group and helped in the synthesis and characterization of the oxide nanopowders. His tasks included the cleaning and heat treatment of the powders, as well as the measurement of particle size of the powders and micelles using dynamic light scattering.

In addition, several undergraduate students have participated in this project (four of them are shown to the right). Their tasks involved synthesis of powders and x-ray diffraction characterization once the powders were prepared.

SummaryFor the first time, the synthesis and sintering of zirconia ceramics was undertaken using reverse micelle synthesis and spark plasma sintering. The grain size of the resulting fully-dense specimens is dependent on the particle size of the starting powders.

In addition, a direct measurement of the size of reverse micelles for the synthesis of nanostructured zirconia, using dynamic light scattering (DLS), was undertaken and corroborated with computer modeling. The DLS measurements and other characterizations of the powders was done with the participation of both high school and undergraduate students.

Brett Pearson and Adriana Velasquez using the dynamic light scattering equipment for the measurement of

particle size.

Karla Hernandezpreparing for

characterization ofoptical properties of

nanopowders.

Gabriel Rojasmixing powders.

Olivia A. Graeve, University of Nevada, RenoDMR 0503017